A new pilot has been backed by £20m in combined UK government and industry funding to deliver improved access to electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints across the nation.
Through the initiative, named the Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) pilot, councils and industry will reportedly collaborate on delivering improved EV charging infrastructure, from faster on-street chargers to large hubs.
The rollout supports the government’s wider ambition to encourage UK motorists to make the switch to electric vehicles.
Funding winners include: Barnet, Dorset, Durham, Kent, Midlands Connect, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk and Warrington.
The funding is intended to support the installation of more than 1,000 public chargers in these areas.
The idea behind the pilot is to improve access to EV chargers for those without driveways and to expand the country’s existing charging network.
Trudy Harrison, decarbonisation minister, said: “We want to expand and grow our world-leading network of EV chargepoints, working closely with industry and local government, making it even easier for those without driveways to charge their electric vehicles and support the switch to cleaner travel.
“This scheme will help to level up electric vehicle infrastructure across the country, so that everyone can benefit from healthier neighbourhoods and cleaner air.”
The pilot has been offered £10m in government funding, which will be divided between the nine winning local authorities as part of a planned £450m scheme.
Winning pilot bids were supported by a further £9m in commercial funding. A further £1.9m will come from other public funding sources.
